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I have not experienced American culture as I have not lived there. I just know that Indian culture is collectivist culture and Amercian culture is Individualist culture. Now, there is nothing right/wrong in any of these cultures. It is a way of life and both have positive and negative sides. As I have not lived in US, I can not say about the 3rd category (of what Appu has mentioned) of Americans, but, I have seen many Indians (including youngsters) who fall into 3rd category. So, it is not right to say that Indians are most selfish and insensitive. Actually, I seriously dont think selfishness and insensitive nature can be tagged to any country/culture. It depends on one's own individuality, up-bringing and enviornment. According to me, barriers like country/culture/language doesnt contribute much to a person's characters.Taking care of the family is definately not an excuse to keep us away from social service. But, being brought up in a collectivist culture, a family according to me consists of many people. Ofcourse, it mainly includes children, husband, parents, in-laws but along with them there are many close relatives of whom some are rich and some are really in need. I am sure, it is not just the case with me, but with many others. So, for a person who is brought up in a collectivist culture, even if he/she wants to help those in needy, he doesnt have to go outside the family (extended family) because there are many present in the family itself. We dont have to go out in search of needy, when we can see them near us. Where as, this may not be the case in an individualistic culture. A person from an individualist culture doesnt have an extended family, so hence the service which he/she renders will be for an outside society. I personally feel, both are equally noble. At the same time, there are many Indians who go beyond this extended family and into service. They have left their highly-paid jobs and are into service. I myself have seen so many of them.Charity definately begins @ home and I agree that it shouldnt stop there. And our workload and family ties shouldnt be an obstacle for the social service. But as I have mentioned already in the earlier posts, it may not be possible to fulfill such desires completely at this stage of life. As you only highlighted, it is a step by step process.@Red - These fall into level 1, there is nothing much to discuss about them until unless they rise from that level.
@ red - That is the biggest chunk. Sure, there are Indians who do charity... but look at the population... US-310 million Vs. India-1.49 billion. So what we need to compare and accept is the ratio of people that indulge in social service. Yes, every American spends certain amount of time and money towards charity. I see this quality even among the homeless people. Let me share an incidence with you.
It was a cold winter morning around 11:30 am. when I was doing my routine of feeding homeless people, an old feeble homeless guy came up to me and asked if would be generous to afford food for 4 more people. I made four boxes with water, crackers and a fruit to go and handed him the bag. That was little heavy for him to handle but adamant that he would somehow carry it. When I offered his share, he told me he was too feeble to carry anymore. So out of curiosity, I asked him why he was helping somebody who is not there and was giving up his share? He replied there was a mother with 3 little kids who did not have proper warm clothes to walk 5 blocks. So they are all seated by a vent that would keep them warm. Tears rolled off my cheeks hearing the elderly man. I offered to drive him to deliver the food to the woman and her children. Such is the American culture. No body lets another person go on starvation.
I love Gandhi's quote "There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed. "
I must again say Indians are insensitive people. The reason why I say that is, I see that difference when I visit India. extravagant weddings, attires, living etc. And the same people are reluctant to give extra Rs.200 to their servant.
People have time to watch TV all day but do not have time to indulge in social service to improve the schools, libraries, teaching less fortunate children. It is the society that one lives in nurtures ones qualities directly or indirectly.
Free se*, independence, and no family values have become a synonym of Americans for the rest of the World which is so untrue.
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